Hand tool

ABSTRACT

A hand tool including a handle and a tool head. The tool head is a V-shaped or modified V-shaped tool head.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application filed under 35 U.S.C. 120 as acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/450,839, with thefiling date of Apr. 19, 2012, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

A hand tool for multiple uses and applications, in particular forpushing, pulling, gripping, and/or manipulating objects or articles by auser. The hand tool includes a V-shaped or modified V-shaped tool headprovided with one or more gripping or manipulating prongs and/or hooks.

BACKGROUND

There exists a need for a hand tool for pushing, pulling, grippingand/or manipulating objects. In particular, workers in a commercial orindustrial setting often need a hand tool when working, for example, onan offshore oil rig, handling electrical power equipment, or whenconducting manufacturing and maintenance operations. The uses for such ahand tool include pushing against surfaces, edges or corners of boxesand containers, moving pipes and tubular articles, and grabbing slingsand taglines.

In these applications, workers are exposed to static electricaldischarges or current when workers make contact with equipment orelectrical current, which can result in severe injury or even death.Thus, there is a need for a hand tool that provides various modes ofuse, and an enhanced level of safety against such accidents andresulting injuries. Further, such a hand tool provides enhancedmechanical leverage for the workers.

SUMMARY

A first object is to provide an improved hand tool.

A second object is to provide a hand tool that is non-conductive.

A third object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of ahandle connected to a tool head, the tool head including at least oneprong.

A fourth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of ahandle connected to a tool head, the tool head including at least twoprongs.

A fifth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of ahandle connected to a tool head, the tool head including a V-shaped ormodified V-shaped configuration.

A six object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of ahandle connected to a tool head, the tool head including a V-shaped ormodified V-shaped configuration defined by two prongs.

A seventh object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting ofa handle; a tool head connected to the handle, the tool head including aV-shaped gripping plate defined by two prongs; and at least oneresilient gripping member provided on an inner edge and/or an outer edgeof at least one or both of the two prongs.

An eighth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting ofa handle; a tool head connected to the handle, the tool head including aV-shaped gripping plate having two prongs; and at least one resilientgripping member provided on an inner edge and an end edge of at leastone or both of the two prongs.

A ninth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of anelongated handle; and a tool head connected to the handle, the tool headincluding a modified V-shaped gripping plate comprising two prongs witheach prong comprising an inner gripping edge, outer manipulating edge,and an end manipulating edge oriented perpendicular relative to a centerlongitudinal axis of the handle, the end manipulating edge beingpositioned at an obtuse angle relative to the inner gripping edge of thegripping plate, the two prongs being spaced apart by an inner spacingedge oriented perpendicular to the center longitudinal axis of thehandle; and a pair of resilient gripping members each provided on eachprong, and extending along the inner gripping edge to the outermanipulating end around the obtuse angle of each prong, wherein an outeredge of one prong is provided with a pair of hook end portions defininga rectangular-shaped gripping recess; and wherein the tool head includesa receiver extending in a direction opposite of a centerline bisectingthe prongs, and one end of said elongated handle being disposed withinsaid receiver for connecting the elongated handle to the tool head.

A tenth object is provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting of atool head having at least one prong having a hook end portion.

An eleventh object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having at least one of prong having a pair of hook endportions defining a gripping recess.

A twelfth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consisting ofa tool head having a resilient gripping member provided on an insidegripping edge of at least one prong.

A thirteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having a resilient gripping member defined by a resilientgripping insert connected to the tool head.

A fourteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having a prong with an inside edge having a receiver foraccommodating a gripping member.

A fifteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having a receiver defined by a slot provided in a surfaceof the inner edge of at least one prong.

A sixteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having a resilient gripping member defined by a resilientplate gripping member.

A seventeenth object is to provide a hand tool, including a tool headhaving a resilient gripping member with an inner edge disposed within aslot in the surface of the inside edge of at least one prong, and araised outer exposed edge extending above a surrounding surface of theinner edge of the at least one prong.

An eighteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having at least one prong provided with a gripping memberwith a flat perpendicular edge.

A nineteenth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having at least one prong provided with at least oneresilient gripping member on an end edge of a prong.

A twentieth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising or consistingof a tool head having at least one prong with at least one resilientgripping member provided on an end edge of the at least one prong.

A twenty first object is to provide a hand tool, comprising orconsisting of a tool head having at least one prong with a plategripping member connected to the at least one prong by at least one pinprovided through a thickness of the prong and a slot containing theplate gripping member.

A twenty second object is to provide a hand tool, comprising orconsisting of a tool head having at least one prong with a plurality ofspaced apart pins located along an inner gripping edge and an endmanipulating edge of the at least one prong to retain a plate grippingmember in an edge slot of the at least one prong.

A twenty third object is to provide a hand tool, comprising orconsisting of a tool head having at least one prong provided with a hookend portion defining a modified U-shaped hook portion at an end of theprong.

A twenty fourth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising of orconsisting of a tool head having at least one prong provided with a hookend portion including a straight end portion extending in a directionparallel to a centerline of a handle connected to the tool head and in adirection opposite to a bisecting forward direction of the prongs.

A twenty fifth object is to provide a hand tool, including a tool headhaving at least one prong provided with a hook end portion including anouter angled edge portion connecting to a straight end portion definingthe hooked end portion.

A twenty sixth object is to provide a hand tool, comprising orconsisting of a tool head having at least one prong provided with aplate gripping member including an elongated portion connected to a bentend portion defining a continuous outer gripping edge extending aroundan obtuse angle to provide an end gripping edge.

The hand tool includes a handle and a tool head. The handle and toolhead can be made to be removably connected together, or permanentlyconnected together. For tough work conditions, a permanent connectionbetween the handle and tool head can provide a more rugged and damageresistant tool construction.

In one embodiment, the hand tool includes a handle, a tool head, and asleeve reinforcing and/or connecting the handle and tool head together.The sleeve can be part of the handle, tool head, or a separate componentor part. For example, the sleeve can be a round hollow sleeve. Thesleeve can be injection molded or machined (e.g. using a lathe) from ablock of stock material. One end of the sleeve is configured to receiveone end of the handle. In one embodiment, the end of the handle isconfigured (e.g. hollow tube construction) to receive a dowel forconnecting to the tool head (e.g. end of dowel is received in receiveror hole in tool head). In another embodiment, the end of the handle isconfigured to receive a protrusion or boss extending from the tool head.

The handle can have a variety of configurations. For example, the handlecan be an elongated handle. The handle can be made from prefabricatedtubing such as plastic tubing, fiberglass tubing, composite tubing (e.g.fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon graphite, and/or boron fiber combined with acurable resin such as epoxy resin, polyester resin, or other suitableresin), or metal tubing. For example, the handle is a non-conductiveprefabricated safety orange colored fiberglass handle.

The handle optionally can be fitted with one or more hand grips. In oneembodiment, a prefabricated forward hand grip is provided including asleeve portion connected at one end to a round disk-shaped hand stopportion. The forward hand grip can be machined (e.g. using a lathe) froma block of stock material (e.g. from virgin black nylon resin) orinjection molded. The round disk-shaped hand stop serves as a handprotector when the forward hand grip is assembled onto the handle. Theforward hand grip can be adhered (e.g. using adhesive or glue) and/ormechanically fastened (e.g. using one or more screws, nylon screws) tothe handle to prevent movement along the length of the handle or preventrotation around the handle during use to complete the assembly thereof.It is noted that the disk-shaped hand stop is optional, and that otherdesigns, for example, protrusions configured to assist a user's fingersto grip the sleeve can be provided in other embodiments of the forwardhand grip.

The handle optionally can be fitted with a rear hand grip. The rear handgrip can be connected to the rear end of the handle. In one embodiment,the rear hand grip can be identical to the forward hand grip andassembly on the handle at or near the end thereof. In anotherembodiment, the rear hand grip can include a sleeve portion, configuredfor receiving an end portion of the handle, which sleeve is connected toa yoke portion having a hand grip portion extending between the ends ofthe yoke. The rear hand grip can be injection molded (e.g. from virginblack nylon resin) or machined (e.g. using a lathe and/or millingmachine) from a block of stock material. The rear hand grip can beadhered (e.g. using adhesive or glue) and/or mechanically fastened (e.g.using one or more screws, nylon screws) to the end of the handle toprevent the rear hand grip from being pull off the end of the handle orprevent rotation around the handle during use to complete the assemblythereof.

In one embodiment, the tool head has a plate configuration. The plateconfiguration provides for a rugged and durable construction. Forexample, the tool head is injection molded or machined (e.g. using sawand/or milling machine) from a plate of stock material to provide arugged and durable construction thereof. In this embodiment, the toolhead has a uniform or fixed thickness. The thickness is selected for aparticular design to provide adequate structural strength during use andoperation thereof. The tool head, for example, can be made of virginUltra High Molecular Weight (UMHW) plastic.

The tool head can be configured to push, pull, grip and/or manipulateobjects or articles. The tool head can also be designed to providespecialized uses.

In one embodiment, the tool head can be provided with a V-shaped ormodified V-shaped arrangement. The V-shaped or modified V-shaped toolhead defines a pair of prongs configured in a V-shaped or modifiedV-shaped arrangement. The V-shaped or modified V-shaped tool head can beconfigured so that an apex of the V-shaped or modified V-shaped toolhead is located at or near the point of connection of the handle.Further, a longitudinal centerline of the handle is aligned with abisecting centerline of the prongs of the tool head with the prongsextending forward away from the handle (i.e. 0° orientation embodiment).Alternatively, in other embodiments, the bisecting centerline of theprongs can be oriented at an angle (e.g. 5°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 90°, 120°)relative to the centerline of the tool head.

In the V-shaped embodiment of the tool head, the prongs define aV-shaped receiver having a shape defined by an apex and the inner edgesof the prongs extending from the base to the end of each prong. In amodified V-shaped embodiment of the tool head, the prongs define amodified V-shaped receiver having a shape defined by a filled apex (dueto a fillet) provided between the base of the prongs and defined by theinner edges of the prongs extending from the base to the end of eachprong. The fillet increases the structural strength of the prongs frombeing separated apart by a spreading force (e.g. when wedging an objectbetween the prongs of the tool head).

The tool head can include one or more gripping members, in particularresilient gripping members, to enhance the frictional contact betweenthe tool head and an article or object. For example, the gripping memberis made of rubber or a resilient plastic material providing an increasedcoefficient of friction relative to the surface of the material formingthe main portion of the tool head.

In one embodiment, a gripping element is provided on the inner edge ofeach prong. In another embodiment, a gripping element is provided on theouter edge of each prong. In a further embodiment, a gripping element isprovided on and bridging the inner edge and outer edge of each prong.

The gripping element, for example, can be a resilient plate grippingelement disposed within a groove provided in at least a portion of oneor more edges of a prong. Specifically, an inner edge of the plategripping element is received within the groove and an outer edge of theplate gripping element extends out of the groove above a surroundingsurface of the edge of the prong (i.e. raised edge). The resilient plategripping element is retained within the groove, for example, by pinningthe resilient plate gripping element within the groove. Specifically, aplurality of space apart pins are inserted in holes provided through thethickness of the tool head and along one or more edges of the prongs.The pins inserted in the holes in the prongs pass through the thicknessof the resilient plate gripping element by penetrating same wheninstalling the pins within the holes of the tool head. The pins areforced into the holes in the prongs to frictionally engage and/orslightly interference fit (i.e. anchored) within the holes to preventinadvertent removal from the holes during the long term use of the handtool.

In one embodiment, multiple resilient plate gripping elements can beprovided on one or more edges of the prongs of the tool head. In anotherembodiment, a single resilient gripping element is used on one or moreedges of the prongs of the tool head. For example, a resilient plategripping element is cut or stamped from a sheet of resilient material,and having a “bent” configuration. Specifically, the resilient plategripping element includes a longer first portion to extend along aninner edge of a prong, and a shorter second portion set at an anglerelative to said first portion to extend along an outer edge of the sameprong. For example, the angle is an obtuse angle to match the anglebetween the inner edge of the prong and the outer edge of the sameprong. In this configuration, the outer gripping edge of the resilientplate gripping element “wraps around” the obtuse angled edge locatedbetween the inner edge and outer edge of the prong. This wrapped edgeconfiguration on both prongs provides for two (2) points of contact ofthe tool head with an object, and can provide significant grippingfunctionally on behalf of the tool head.

Alternatively, and resilient rubber strip can be connected (e.g. adheredand/or mechanically fastened) to one or more edges of the prongs. Forexample, a one-side sticky back strip of resilient material including arelease liner is use to apply a resilient surface to one or more edgesof the prongs to increase the frictional engagement of the prongs witharticles or objects.

Optionally, the tool head is provided with one or more gripping hooks.For example, one prong can be provided with a lower gripping hook. Inaddition, a second upper gripping hook can be provided on the sameprongs defining a gripping recess (e.g. rectangular-shaped grippingrecess). The lower hook portion can include a straight portion alignedparallel to the centerline longitudinal axis of the handle and oriented“reverse” relative to the direction of the prong (e.g. extends towardhandle verses away from handle). The upper hook portion faces towardsthe lower hook portion in a manner, for example, to retain an object(e.g. rope or line) within the gripping recess once entered therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hand tool;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top planar view of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom planar view of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an front end elevational view of the hand tool shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a back end elevational view of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detailed side elevational view of the tool head of the handtool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a plate gripping member of the toolhead of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a broken away elevational side view showing the plate grippingmember shown in FIG. 8 installed within a groove provided in the toolhead shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional elevational side view of the handle toolshown in FIG. 1, illustrating one embodiment of the connection betweenthe handle and tool head.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional elevational side view of the tool head ofthe handle tool shown in FIG. 1, illustrating one embodiment of theconnection between the handle and tool head.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the handtool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “about” as used herein refers to a quantity, level, value,dimension, size, or amount that varies to some extent based on thecontext in which it is used. For example, such variation can be by asmuch as 5%. At the least, each numerical parameter can be construed inlight of the number of reported significant digits and by applyingordinary rounding techniques.

Any number range recited herein relating to any physical feature, suchas dimension, size, or thickness, are to be understood to include anyinteger within the recited range, unless otherwise indicated.

It should be understood that the terms “a” and “an” as used above andelsewhere herein refer to “one or more” of the enumerated components. Itwill be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the use of thesingular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.Therefore, the terms “a,” “an” and “at least one” are usedinterchangeably in this application.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities,percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in thespecification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the followingspecification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

Throughout the application, descriptions of various embodiments use“comprising” language; however, it will be understood by one of skill inthe art, that in some specific instances, an embodiment canalternatively be described using the language “consisting essentiallyof” or “consisting of.”

Other terms as used herein are meant to be defined by their well-knownmeanings in the art.

A hand tool 10 including a handle 12 and a tool head 14, is shown inFIGS. 1-6. The handle 12 is connected to the tool head 14, andreinforced by a connector 16 (e.g. hollow sleeve). The handle 12 isfitted with a front hand grip 18 including a sleeve portion 20 providedwith a hand protector portion 22 (e.g. round disk) and a rear hand grip24 defined by a sleeve portion 26 connected to a yoke portion 28 havinga hand grip portion 30 bridging the ends 28 a, 28 a of the yoke portion28.

The tool head 14 includes an upper prong 32 and a lower prong 34defining a V-shaped or modified V-shaped tool head. A first grippingreceiver 36 is defined between the upper prong 32 and lower prong 34.The upper prong 32 is provided with an end hook portion 38 cooperatingwith a hook portion 40 defining a second gripping receiver 42. A bevelededge portion 44 is provided between the end edge 32 c of the upper prong34 and end hook portion 38.

A fillet 46 is provided between the upper prong 32 and lower prong 34 toenhance the strength of the tool head 14 to prevent the upper prong 32and lower prong 34 from being spread apart or compressed together. Thefillet 46 includes an inner edge 48 defining an inner edge of the firstgripping receiver 36.

The tool head 14 is provided with a pair of gripping members 52, 54, asshown in FIGS. 7-9.

The gripping members 52, 54 are located in respective slots provided inone or more edges of the prongs 32, 34. For example, a slot 32 a (FIG.9) is provided in the inner edge 32 b and outer edge 32 c of the upperprong 32. A similar slot (not shown) is provided in the inner edge 34 band outer edge 34 c of the lower prong 34. The slots have a width beinga portion of the thickness of the prongs 32, 34, and can be centered,for example, on the respective edges of the prongs 32, 34.

The gripping members 52, 54 are the same size and shape (i.e. mirrorimage thereof), and are molded or cut from a sheet of material (i.e.resilient material, plastic, rubber, wear proof material, nylon, Teflon,polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene). Alternatively, the grippingmembers can be made to have different shapes and sizes.

As shown in FIG. 8, the gripping member 52 includes a gripping edge 52 ahaving inner gripping edge portion 52 b and outer gripping edge portion52 c. The inner gripping edge portion 52 b is located along the inneredge 32 b of the upper prong 32, and the outer gripping edge portion 52c is located along the outer edge 32 c of the upper prong 32. Thegripping member 52 (FIG. 7) is also applied in the same manner (i.e.reversed orientation or mirror image) to lower prong 34.

The angle A between the gripping edge portion 52 b and gripping edgeportion 52 c of the gripping member 52 (FIG. 9) is shown being greaterthan ninety degrees) (90°) (i.e. obtuse angle). This angle can vary(e.g. 45° to 135°).

As shown in FIG. 9, the gripping edge portions 52 b, 52 c of grippingmember 52 are raised and located above the surfaces of the inner edge 32b and outer edge 32 b, respectively, of the upper prong 32. Thisarrangement allows for the raised gripping edge portions 52 b, 52 c ofthe gripping member 52 to come into direct contact with an object orarticle being contacted by or gripped by the hand tool 10 instead ofcontacting the prongs 32, 34 directly. The gripping edge portions 52 b,52 c of the gripping member 52 are made of a material (e.g. resilientmaterial) having a higher coefficient of friction compared to edgesurfaces of the prongs 32, 34 to enhance the gripping ability of theprongs 32, 34.

The handle 12 can be made of plastic (e.g. polyurethane), composite(e.g. fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon graphite, combination of materials) ormetal (e.g. steel, aluminum) to provide suitable strength againstbending and durability. For example, the handle 12 is made of anelectrical non-conductive strong, safety orange colored fiberglasstubing cut to length.

The tool head 14 can be injection molded, or can be machined from ablock of stock material (e.g. polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon, virginblack colored Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW)) plastic material.

The connector 16, forward hand grip 18, and rear hand grip 24 can beinjection molded, or can be machined from a block of stock material(e.g. polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon, virgin black colored Ultra HighMolecular Weight (UHMW)) plastic material.

The handle 12 can be connected to the tool head 14 in various manners.For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the connector 16 is a tubular sleevesurrounding a forward end portion of the handle 12. One end of a dowel58 is inserted into the hollow forward end portion of the tubular handle12, and an opposite end of the dowel 58 is inserted into a receiver 60(e.g. hole) of the tool head 14. The connector 16 and dowel 58 arescrewed and glued into position as shown in FIG. 10 to complete theassembly of the handle 12 onto the tool head 14. The holes 62 in thesleeve 16, dowel 58, and the tool head 14 show the location where thescrews after assembly.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the tool head 14′ is provided with aprotrusion or boss 64 provided with through holes 66, 66. For example,the tool head 14′ is machined (e.g. using a CNC milling machine) from ablock of stock material, and the boss 64 is then machined (e.g. usinglathe) to form a round boss 64 having an outer diameter the same orslightly greater than the inner diameter of the handle (See handle 12,FIG. 10). A sleeve connector, the same or similar to sleeve connector 16shown in FIG. 10, is positioned over the front end concentric andoverlapping the location of the boss 64 to further reinforce theconnection between the handle (not shown) and tool head 14′.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, a centerline of the handle 12 isaligned with a centerline of the tool head 14 (i.e. the centerline ofthe tool head 14 bisects the prongs 32, 34). In this arrangement, theprongs 32, 34 face forward away from the handle 12. Alternatively, thetool head 14 can be configured so that the centerline of the tool head14 bisecting the prongs 32, 34 is positioned at an angle relative to acenterline of the handle 12. For example, the centerline of the toolhead 14 is positioned at an angle relative to the centerline of thehandle 12 so that the lower prong 34 is aligned with the centerline ofthe handle 12 and the upper prongs 32 points more upwardly at anincreased angle relative to the centerline of the handle 12. The offcenterline angle for the tool head 14 relative to the handle 12, forexample, can range from −120° to +120°. This can be accomplished by, forexample, by machining the boss 64 (FIG. 11) at an angle relative to acenterline of the tool head 14′. Specifically, the position of the baseof the boss 64 remains at the same attachment point on the tool head 14;however, the boss is placed at an angle up or down relative to thecenterline of the tool head 14.

The end edges 32 c, 34 c of the prongs 32, 34 are located along an axisperpendicular relative to the centerline of the tool head 14.Alternatively, the end edges 32 c, 34 c can be set an angle relative tothe centerline of the handle 12 and tool head 14 (e.g. 85°, 95°).

Another embodiment of the hand tool 110 is shown in FIG. 12. The handtool 110 includes the handle 112, tool head 114, and connector 116assembled together. In this embodiment, the handle 112 is provided withtwo hand grips 118, 118 positioned at a predetermined distance apartalong the length of the handle 112. The hand grips 118, 118 each includea sleeve portion 120 and hand protector portion 122 (e.g. circulardisk). The tool head 114 includes prongs 132, 134 having gripping member152, 154, respectively.

During manufacturing, the tool head 14 is machined, for example, using aCNC milling machine from a block of stock material such as Ultra HighMolecular Weigh (UMHW) plastic material. The handle is cut from stockfiberglass tubing, for example, using a cut-off saw.

During assembly of the hand tool 10, using the embodiment of the toolhead 14 shown in FIG. 10, one end of the dowel 58 is fitted into the endof the handle 12, and the opposite end of the dowel 58 is fitted intothe receiver 60 or hole in the tool head 14 (FIG. 10). The tubularconnector 16 is positioned at the forward end of the handle 12, and thenscrewed and glued to connect the handle 12 to the tool head 14. Theforward hand grip 18 is slid over the rear end of the handle 12, andthen screwed and glued to connect the forward grip 18 to the handle 12to prevent longitudinal or rotational movement relative to the handle 12during use of the hand tool 10. The rear hand grip 24 having a receiver68 is slid over the rear end of the handle 12, and then screwed andglued to the handle 12 to prevent longitudinal or rotational movementrelative to the handle 12 during use of the hand tool 10. A plurality ofscrews 50 (e.g. metal, plastic, nylon) are installed as shown toassemble the hand tool 10.

OPERATION

The hand tool 10 can be used in a variety of applications, includingpushing, pulling, and/or gripping operations. The hand tool 10 reduceshand injuries and avoids pinch points during lifting operations andwhile moving loads at a jobsite. The hand tool 10, for example, can beused to push against flat surfaces or corners of boxes and containers;move pipes and tubular; and grab slings and taglines.

A user grabs the hand grips 18 and 24 to lift the hand tool 10 tomaneuver the tool head 14 into a pushing, pulling, or gripping position,and then engages an object, article, and/or equipment to handle same.

The present subject matter being thus described, it will be apparentthat the same may be modified or varied in many ways. Such modificationsand variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present subject matter, and all such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the followingclaims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A hand tool, comprising: at least two prongsconnected together and defining a gripping receiver; and at least oneresilient gripping member provided on an end manipulating edge of atleast one of the two prongs.
 22. A hand tool, comprising: at least twoprongs connected together and defining a gripping receiver; and at leastone resilient gripping member provided on an inner gripping edge and anend manipulating edge of at least one of the two prongs.
 23. A handtool, comprising: at least two prongs connected together and defining agripping receiver; a first gripping member provided on an inner grippingedge of at least one of the prongs; and a second resilient grippingmember provided on an end manipulating edge of at least one of the twoprongs.
 24. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the gripping memberextends along at least a portion of an inner gripping edge and along atleast a portion of the end manipulating edge of the at least one of thetwo prongs.
 25. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the firstgripping member and second gripping member are set at an angle relativeto each other.
 26. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the firstgripping member and the second gripping member of at least one of thetwo prongs is a unitary gripping member.
 27. The tool according to claim26, wherein the gripping member comprises a curved outer gripping edgeextending around a corner defined by the inner gripping edge and the endmanipulating edge of at least one of the two prongs.
 28. The toolaccording to claim 23, wherein the inner gripping edge and the endmanipulating edge are set at an angle relative to each other.
 29. Thetool according to claim 25, wherein the inner gripping edge and the endmanipulating edge are set at an angle relative to each other.
 30. Thetool according to claim 29, wherein the angle between the first grippingelement and second gripping element is a same angle as the angle betweenthe inner gripping edge and end manipulating edge of at least one of theprong.
 31. The tool according to claim 23, wherein a gripping edge ofthe first resilient gripping member and a gripping edge of the secondresilient gripping member are set at an angle relative to each other.32. The tool according to claim 30, wherein a gripping edge of the firstresilient gripping member and a gripping edge of the second resilientgripping member are set at an angle relative to each other.
 33. The toolaccording to claim 30, wherein the angle between the gripping edge ofthe first resilient gripping member and the gripping edge of the secondresilient gripping member is the same angle.
 34. The tool according toclaim 23, wherein at least one of the inner gripping edge and endmanipulation edge is a straight edge.
 35. The tool according to claim23, wherein at least one of the first resilient gripping element andsecond resilient gripping element comprises a straight gripping edge.36. The tool according to claim 35, wherein at least one of the firstresilient gripping element and second resilient gripping elementcomprises a straight gripping edge.
 37. The tool according to claim 23,wherein the inner gripping edge is provided with a first slot receivingthe first gripping element, and the end manipulating edge is providedwith a second slot receiving the second gripping element.
 38. The toolaccording to claim 37, wherein the first slot is continuous with thesecond slot.
 39. The tool according to claim 34, further comprising atleast one pin securing the resilient gripping member within the slot.40. The tool according to claim 35, further comprising at least one pinsecuring the first gripping element within the first slot, and a leastone pin securing the second gripping element in the second slot.
 41. Thetool according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the two prongscomprises a second gripping receiver.
 42. The tool according to claim41, wherein the second gripping receiver is defined by a pair of opposedhook end portions.
 43. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the twoprongs are V-shaped.
 44. The tool according to claim 21, wherein the endmanipulating edge of at least one of the two prongs is a leading edge ofthe tool so that the resilient gripping element is a first point ofcontact with an object to be manipulated.
 45. The tool according toclaim 23, wherein at least one of the first resilient gripping memberand the second resilient gripping member is a plate gripping member. 46.The tool according to claim 45, wherein an inner edge of the plategripping member is disposed within a slot provided in the surface of atleast one of the inner gripping edge and end manipulating edge of the atleast one prong, and a raised outer exposed resilient gripping edge ofthe plate gripping member extends above the surface.
 47. The toolaccording to claim 46, wherein the outer exposed resilient gripping edgeis a flat edge.
 48. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the firstgripping element and the second gripping element define a bentcontinuous outer gripping edge extending around an angle between theinner gripping edge and the end manipulating edge of at least one of thetwo prongs.
 49. The tool according to claim 23, wherein the handle ismade of an electrical non-conductive material.